TEncoder is a powerful tool for downloading, ripping and converting video and audio files from one format to another.

The main TEncoder screen is complex and cluttered, but once you've figured out a few basic details it's actually quite easy to use. Click the "Add" button to add individual files or an entire folder of files (or "Add Link" to download files from popular media sharing sites); select a profile to define the appropriate settings for your device (there are more 800 to choose from); click "Encode", and wait as your files are converted.

You shouldn't wait long, either, as TEncoder uses multiple threads by default. On our test system it was able to convert 8 videos simultaneously, helping deliver notably better performance than most of the competition. (Of course this also means your PC won't have the processor power to do much else, but if that's a problem you can tell TEncoder to grab less cores for itself.)

Perhaps the real benefit of TEncoder is the fine control you get over your conversions, though. This starts with the ability to set all the basics: codecs, bitrates, video resolution, frame rates, aspect ratio and output format (AVI, MPEG, MP4, MOV, MKV, FLV, WMV, WEBM, 3GP). A Preview window helps you to select the part of a video which you'd like to convert. You can process your downloads in many ways - deinterlace, crop, rotate, adjust volume, add a watermark, merge images and audio files to a video, convert a video to an animated GIF - and a Preview function gives a feel for the results without having to convert all your files.

Experts will also appreciate some of the more low-level controls, including the option to choose your preferred encoding engine (FFmpeg or MEncoder), and provide custom video and audio options.

Verdict:

The interface is cluttered, but spend a few minutes learning the basics and TEncoder turns out to be a speedy, straightforward and extremely configurable conversion tool

A big thumbs up for this new v4.5.2 because they removed all of the obnoxious ads and 3rd party offers that were previously bundled with the installer. Now it's truly an application that deserves serious consideration.

Spotlight: Free Full Software

WhatsApp Messenger is the world's most popular instant messaging app for smartphones.

You can use it to send and receive text and voice messages, photos, videos, even call your friends in other countries, and because it uses your phone's internet connection it might not cost you anything at all (depending on whether you'll pay data charges).

It's easy to set up and use. There's no need to create and remember new account names or pins because it works with your phone number, and uses your regular address book to find and connect you with friends who use WhatsApp already.

You can talk one-to-one or in group chats, and because you're always logged in there's no way to miss messages. Even if your phone is turned off, WhatsApp will save your messages and display them as soon as you're back online.

There's plenty more (location sharing, contact exchange, message broadcasting) and the app is free for a year, currently $0.99/ year afterwards.